With everyone waiting on news of a new contract for Raheem Sterling, a new deal for Brad Jones came as something of a surprise on Thursday as the 'keeper signed a long term contract to keep him on at Anfield as Pepe Reina's backup for the foreseeable future.
"I'm happy," said Jones of his new deal. "Happy to stay on and happy the club have been supportive with me and seen enough to want to keep me here longer. I said when I signed here it was a dream come true. It was something I'd wanted as a young boy - and that hasn't changed. I want to stay here as long as I can."
After signing for the club under Roy Hodgson in 2010, Jones quickly became something of a spare part when Kenny Dalglish brought Alexander Doni on as Reina's deputy. A series of strong performances this season with Reina injured and Doni out of the equation, though, showed the Australian could be a more than capable option when called upon.
"Obviously there was a difficult time in the middle," he added, "and three managers in that space of time is difficult because football is very much about opinions. Some people rate you more than others and I think I've found that in my time here at Liverpool—some managers have thought more of me than others. At the minute I'm really happy working with Brendan and the group of players we've got."
"When he came in, I don't think he was too sure about whether I was going to stay or not and I had to prove to him I was worthy of being here. He's a very positive guy and somebody that wants to be amongst the players, talking to them and making sure they know what he wants.
"He was very honest with me at the start and said maybe things weren't going to work out, but he was then just as honest to come and say to me I'd done well and proved myself to him. That's what you want from your manager—somebody that's honest, that you can talk to and is going to help you progress as a player."
As for Liverpool's other senior backup, if there was any doubt before then today's news has to confirm that Alexander Doni's time at the club has reached its end. It's also news that should cool any transfer rumours linking Liverpool to another goalkeeper such as Jack Butland in the January window.
"I've said before, it's one of the biggest families in the world and I've been very lucky to receive the support they've given me. There is no other club I'd want to be at. Given the chance, as long as the manager wants me here, [I'll] be willing to stay."